The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, hosted the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Useo, at Army Headquarters on Wednesday to solidify international defence cooperation and address the evolving security landscape in West Africa.
During the high-level engagement on 4 February 2026, Lieutenant General Shaibu praised the French government for its consistent support in intelligence sharing and operational readiness. He emphasised that the partnership is vital to Nigeria’s success in neutralising regional threats.
“Such partnerships remain critical to Nigeria’s broader efforts to counter security threats within the region,” the COAS stated, reaffirming the Army’s dedication to professional development and bilateral military ties.
Shaibu expressed a clear vision for the future of the relationship, noting that the Nigerian Army remains focused on capacity building and advanced training. He remarked that a long-term partnership with France focusing on enhanced operational effectiveness is “in line with contemporary security realities.”
Colonel Stéphane Useo, representing the French Armed Forces, lauded the Nigerian Army for its resilience in the face of emerging challenges, specifically highlighting recent successful recovery operations in the Republic of Benin.
He further advocated for expanded access to strategic military courses, particularly in the specialised fields of aviation and public relations.
The French Attaché singled out the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information for praise, describing it as “one of the best institutions in Africa established to train Army personnel in civil-military related affairs and enhanced information communication management.”
In closing the meeting, Colonel Useo reiterated France’s dedication to promoting regional stability through shared responsibility. He characterised the ongoing cooperation as “mutually reinforcing,” asserting that the collaboration will continue to elevate the professional standards and defence capabilities of both nations.
